ToDo ToDay: Dustin Wong, Nick Flynn, and Shutdown Drink Deals

If you initially misread the title of Dustin Wong’s latest full-length, forgive yourself: It’s called Mediation of Ecstatic Energy, but it’d work just as well if the first word was “Meditation.” It’s an album consumed with spirituality, from the aura photo of Wong on the cover to the song titles referencing his childhood attendance at a Christian school in Tokyo. Wong records his mostly instrumental songs by looping twinkly guitar figures with an artillery of pedals, building in rhythms, counterrhythms, and harmonic left turns. Read more >>>Dustin Wong performs with The Dodos at 8 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $15. (202) 667-4490. blackcatdc.com. (Jonathan L. Fischer)

EAT THIS

A government shutdown equals more time—and reason—to drink. And whether you are furloughed or not, there are plenty of food and drink specials around town. Y&H has a list of dozens of deals, which we will continue to be updated throughout the day. Check it out here.

OH AND ALSO

Memoirist Nick Flynn, best known for his book Another Bullshit Night in Suck City, which later became the Robert DeNiro film Being Flynn, discusses his work at the Hill Center with Washington Post book critic Ron Charles. 7 p.m. at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Free; reservations required.

OneBeat, a State Department program that brings musicians from around the world on a tour of the US, stops at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage this evening. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.

Legendary blues vocalist and harmonica player James Cottonplays the Hamilton tonight with local bluesman Jonny Grave. 7:30 p.m. at 600 14th St. NW. $33.